Anthony McPartlin admitted to taking drugs in the past but said that alcohol was more his thing.

The brave Britain's Got Talent presenter - who last night confessed that he's checked into rehab over his prescription drugs and booze problems - opened up about his past vices in an interview with his co-star Declan Donnelly in 2013.

When asked about whether they had ever dabbled in drugs, Ant said: "Years ago, yeah, but we're not really druggy people, that's the thing. I think you either go into that crowd as a kid or you don't, and we didn't.

"We found the love of alcohol very early on and we stayed with it."

The Geordie duo explained they have a 'responsibility' to hold it together during the interview with The Guardian Weekend magazine.

Ant and Dec met aged 13 when they worked together on Byker Grove (Image: Rex Features)

"With us two, what we do affects somebody else - directly affects somebody else - and what that means is you've got a responsbility," Ant said. "And that's good to have."

Dec added: "There's a real pub culture where we're from in Newcastle, so we're just more boozy people."

Multi-millionaire Ant, 41, wept as he revealed his drug and booze crisis to his wife Lisa Armstrong and Dec, also 41.

Last night he said: "The first step is to admit to yourself you need help.

"I've let people down. I'm truly sorry.

Ant and Dec with a pint (Image: Getty)

"I feel like I have let a lot of people down and for that I'm truly sorry.

"I want to thank my wife, family and closest friends through this really difficult time."

He added to The Sun : "I have spoken out because I think it is important that people ask for help if they are going through a rough time and get the proper treatment to help their recovery."

He is expected to spend at least two months in a clinic.

Ant suffers from chronic pain caused by a problem in his right knee which led to him becoming hooked on pain killers.

Ant and Dec accepting a Bafta for Live Event event for the Queen's 90th birthday celebration (Image: Getty Images Europe)

He also suffers from anxiety over his failure so far to conceive a child with Lisa.

Depression has made him turn to substance abuse, it is suspected.

A source close to the star said the pain in his knee often left him on his dressing room floor, his face contorted in pain.